THE POWER OF PHILANTHROPY
IN ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION AND TRANSPLANTATION
Meet the Organizers & Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Melanie Curtis
Keynote Speaker, World Record Pro Skydiver & Peak Performance Coach
Melanie Curtis is a world-record pro skydiver turned keynote speaker and peak performance coach with over 12,000 jumps and 30 years of experience leading and coaching worldwide. Melanie has been tapped as an expert in Forbes, on CBS Evening News, Good Morning America, Masters of Scale and more. Over the years, she has worked with Weird Al Yankovic, Megan Rapinoe, the RedBull AirForce and spoken on the same stage as Gloria Steinham. With heart, humor and real tools, Melanie inspires audiences to rise into their untapped potential. Oh and you're gonna laugh too... be ready.
Shannon Adkins
Philanthropy Director & Donor Mom, Donate Life Kentucky Trust
Bio to come.
Donna Albanese-DeMair
Dairy Queen Owner, Philanthropist
When opportunity to bring joy through a tasty Dairy Queen treat converges with awareness of neighborhood needs, Donna integrates two passions to make her community a better place. Her family Dairy Queen serves as a community hub for her philanthropic work.
She is a founder of the Plainwood Square Merchants’ Association, which is responsible for inspiring a 3-million-dollar revitalization. As President of the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce, membership tripled during her tenure. Donna has also served as Vice President of the Special Improvement District and as a member of the Salvation Army Board of Directors.
In 2002, Donna donated a kidney to her mother which led to 24 years of volunteer work. She has served as Chairperson of the Sharing Network’s Foundation Board whose mission is to promote organ donation awareness. She has had the honor of participating in the Rose Bowl Parade representing living organ donors in Pasadena California.
Donna’s Dairy Queen is a top contributor to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. In addition, Donna and her husband, Rich, give free bicycles to those in need. To date Rich has refurbished over 5300 bicycles. His efforts support more than a dozen nonprofit organizations. Rich does the repair work. Donna organizes the giveaways at their Dairy Queen, and together they enjoy the smiling faces of children and adults who receive a gift of a free bicycle. It might mean a ride to school, fun with friends, exercise, or a ride to work.
Donna Albanese-DeMair’s education began at home with loving, community-minded parents who instilled confidence. At the College of New Jersey, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology which combines her love of children and public speaking. Donna enjoys mentoring and inspiring all those who have joined the DQ family. She and her husband Rich have three children, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law and four grandchildren.
Zeba Aslami
Database & Administrative Coordinator, Donor Network West Foundation
Zeba Aslami is a Database Coordinator at Donor Network West Foundation, where she joined in October 2024. This role represents her entry into the nonprofit and public health space, where she is building experience as an early-career professional. Zeba plays an integral role in advancing the foundation’s work by managing all data integrity and data-related processes for the foundation. In addition to her data responsibilities, she helps organize and lead foundation events including 5K runs, annual gala and golf tournaments. One her favorite parts of her role is engaging with sponsors and building relationships with community partners. Since the foundation’s establishment in 2023, contributions have grown 149%. Through her work and with the support of a team, many of these exciting successes can be attributed to the strategic alignment of the Foundation within Donor Network West and the focus on relationship building. Zeba holds a bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University and is preparing to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH).
Jordan Beamer
Development Coordinator, Donate Life America
Jordan Beamer is the Development Coordinator at Donate Life America, focusing on public engagement and the Donate Life brand. Since joining the DLA staff in 2022, Jordan has worked on conference and exhibiting logistics, annual conference initiatives, contribution acknowledgements, and more recently become more involved in fundraising initiatives and strategy. Her favorite aspects about working in the field of donation and transplantation are building relationships with other professionals across the country and hearing stories from those impacted by our shared cause.
Caitlyn Bernabucci
Director, Community Affairs and Development, New England Donor Services
Caitlyn Bernabucci is the Director, Community Affairs and Development for New England Donor Services, and has worked in the donation field since starting with LifeChoice Donor Services in 2006.
After her mother received a life-saving liver transplant in 2004, she pursued an opportunity to bring attention to the mission to save and heal lives through donation. She works with the Department of Motor Vehicles, community programs, leads all fundraising and development initiatives, including the organization of the Blue & Green 5K/Walks in CT and MA.
Caitlyn is a former Board Chair for Donate Life Connecticut, former Chair of Donate Life America’s Advisory Council and currently serves as State Team Liaison on Donate Life America’s Advisory Council.
Beth Cameron
Manager of Donor Family Services, Southern Legacy of Life
Bio to come
Kim Casko
Director of Client Services & Support, Elisse Glennon Consulting
With over 25 years of experience across a variety of sectors, Kim Casko is a service leader and change champion with a passion for helping individuals, teams, and organizations be their best selves. She is grateful to currently serve as Director of Client Services & Support for Elisse Glennon Consulting, a firm that partners with nonprofit leaders seeking to elevate the impact of their organizations.
Kim holds a bachelor's degree in management and psychology from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and a master's degree in higher education administration from Northwestern University in Illinois. Throughout her career, she has held various roles, including information technology consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, career advisor at the University of Maryland, change management director at the University of Illinois, and organizational effectiveness manager at ACT. She was President & CEO of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce from 2016 to 2023, successfully leading the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, a merger, and development of a community vision and strategic plan.
In the spring of 2023, Kim decided to take a year-long sabbatical from “careering” to rest, reset, and reprioritize. This has been her greatest challenge to date! She continues to dedicate time and attention to the “inner work” of being her highest and best self.
Kim resides in Iowa City with her husband, John, and their two cats, Omi and Tanis. She also spends a significant portion of the year in New York, where she is originally from. She enjoys spending time with her active nephews and animals of any kind (not to imply that her nephews are animals), doing yoga and meditation, and getting in/on/by water whenever she can.
Madeline Gaudreau
Founder & Co-President, The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation
Madeline Gaudreau is the Co-President of The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, dedicated to honoring the enduring legacy of her beloved husband, Matty (Matthew), and his brother, John, by supporting projects and initiatives that align with the values and passions they championed during their lives. As a doting mother to their son Tripp and a compassionate leader, she works alongside co-president Meredith to advance the foundation's mission at the heart of which is a commitment to helping youth hockey initiatives, supporting hockey families that have faced tragedy, and helping families affected by drunk driving. Madeline's efforts emphasize giving back to what Matty and John were passionate about—promoting youth ice hockey opportunities, providing critical support during hardship, and fostering long-term community impact through strategic grants and collaborations.
Elisse Glennon
Founder & Principal, Elisse Glennon Consulting
With over 25 years of extensive experience in nonprofit, foundation, and healthcare leadership, Elisse Glennon is an energetic and empathetic change driver with a passion for empowering organizations to realize their full potential. She is the founder and principal of Elisse Glennon Consulting LLC, where she partners with nonprofit leaders seeking to challenge the status quo and elevate their impact.
Before establishing her consulting firm in 2022, Elisse held several notable leadership positions. She was Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at the NJ Sharing Network and Executive Director of their Foundation, where she led a restructuring that tripled their annual fund results. She was Vice President of Development at Palisades Medical Center and Executive Director of their Foundation, which she established and grew to $5M in revenue. She was also Chief Executive Officer of the United Way of Greater Union County, where she initiated and successfully completed a merger of five local United Way organizations in less than a year and was responsible for the local distribution of 9/11 funds.
Beyond her positions, Elisse has helped lead and shape the industries in which she’s served. She was a driver behind the establishment of the Association of Organ Procurement Organization’s first fund development council and served on numerous boards including Donate Life America, Hospital Fundraising Executives of NJ, and United Way of New Jersey Professional Association. Elisse has also received numerous awards in recognition of her contributions including the TJ Maciak Award from the Transplant Life Foundation and the Robert J. Smythe Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She was also named Woman of the Year Award by the Salvation Army and one of the Best 50 Women in Business by NJBiz.
Elisse holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Bucknell University, served as a faculty member at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Center for Non-Profit Excellence, and was selected for and completed Leadership New Jersey. She remains actively engaged in her community, serving on the boards of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber, Eastwick College, Moe-tion Dance Theatre, and the Bucknell University Alumni Association.
Elisse resides in Caldwell, NJ with her husband (an altruistic living kidney donor), four children, two cats, and a bunny. She is an avid Scrabble player and a budding Spartan Obstacle Course racer.
Laura L. Hughes
Consultant, Liaison and Advocate
Over the past 35 years, Laura has helped teams find their stride by coming together for a shared goal. From her first rugby team to her current DEI and project teams, Laura brings her sincerity and determination to everything that she does.
Laura earned her Bachelor of Science from Bucknell University where she was a member of the environmental college and played with Bucknell University’s Women’s Rugby Football Club (Club President as a Senior). Laura earned her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Widener University. She went on to work in the intense environment of a sports physical therapy clinic in Midtown Manhattan. She then started her own private practice in Chelsea in New York City. Her practice focused on one to one work with professional dancers. Her passion for the sport and community of rugby continued into her professional life when she was the team physiotherapist (on field care) for the men’s team based in New York City known as Old Blue Rugby Football Club. She continues to be actively engaged with the Old Blue community in a more philanthropic role.
Laura has a lifelong passion for the environment and nature. As a member of Green Summit, based in Summit, New Jersey, she helped bring people together to educate and empower themselves and their community while making a positive impact on the environment. She also served as the Green Faith Circle liaison for St. John’s Lutheran Church in Summit, NJ. As a result of her work with Green Summit, she joined the board of Reeves-Reed Arboretum(RRA). During her 7 years on the Board of Trustees at RRA, she was the chair of the Education Committee and then the chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. Laura is continuing to serve as co-chair of the Reeves-Reed Arboretum’s accessibility committee where she is a fierce advocate for those with disabilities, differences, and special needs. In her role as co-chair, she is deeply involved with the capital campaign and is the construction liaison for the “Path for All” project that is opening in the Spring of 2026.
Laura is serving on the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey’s ADA committee (a subcommittee of the DEI committee). This gives her the opportunity to bring her artistic talents and professional knowledge together.
Franny Johnson, MPA
Foundation Development Director, DonorConnect
Franny Johnson serves as Development Director for the DonorConnect Foundation, where she leads fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and partnership development in support of organ, tissue, and eye donation. She is focused on building sustainable philanthropic infrastructure while expanding community engagement, strengthening partnerships, and increasing visibility and awareness of the Foundation’s mission.
Franny brings over 25 years of leadership experience across the private and public sectors, along with five years in aftercare and donor family services at DonorConnect, where she served as Aftercare Manager. Walking alongside donor families through grief profoundly shaped her professional path and leadership style. During that time, she led numerous legacy and honorary events, deepening her understanding of the importance of supporting donor families and the broader transplant community. That experience instilled in her a deep respect for the generosity of donors and a commitment to ensuring that every philanthropic effort honors the people at the heart of the mission.
In her current role, Franny is helping build and strengthen the Foundation’s core infrastructure, establishing systems, growing strategic community partnerships, and positioning the organization for long-term sustainability. She is passionate about creating something designed to last, while fostering a culture of philanthropy grounded in trust, transparency, and purpose.
Franny holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Southern Utah University, further strengthening her commitment to public service and community impact.
E’Tiffany Jones
Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Donor Network West
Bio to come.
Tony Kelly
Partner & Director of Financial Planning, King Financial Network
As the Director of Financial Planning, I work with our clients to create and manage financial plans that we customize to specific goals. I was introduced to King Financial Network while I was a Finance Major at The University of Central Florida and spent two summers working as an intern before accepting Jim’s offer to work full-time after graduation.
I love my role because each day brings a new problem to solve and allows me to continue educating myself on advanced planning strategies. I have found that each client has unique goals and scenarios to navigate along the way. Seeing the individual decisions we make over time result in a successful retirement, vacation home, or student loan payoff is very rewarding. I would say this is my dream job but during the NJ winters I strongly envy the PGA tour professionals.
Our team was significantly smaller when I started with King Financial in 2007. Flash forward to today where I am proudly a partner of the firm, I feel blessed to be surrounded by an in-house team that can provide input to our client’s plans from many different areas of expertise. While helping build King Financial to what it is today, I was lucky enough to be supported by my high school sweetheart wife Christina. We live in Freehold with our beautiful children Olivia, Nicolette and Vincent.
Emily Kibling
Director, Community Development, Indiana Donor Network
Emily is a communications professional currently serving as the Director of Community Development at Indiana Donor Network. In her role, she oversees the management of Donate Life Indiana and Indiana Donor Network Foundation, as well as the organization's community outreach efforts, volunteer program, funeral home program, donor family events, and more.
She has experience developing and executing strategic campaigns focused on public outreach, community engagement, public relations, internal communications, and advertising in various industries. Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa and is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America.
Carolynn O'Brien
Founder & Creative Director, The Graphics Connection and Board Member & Marketing Director, The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation
Carolynn is the owner and Creative Director of The Graphics Connection, a WBE-certified women’s business she has led for 26 years in Caldwell, New Jersey. With a background in brand development, marketing strategy, and storytelling, she works closely with mission-driven organizations to help them clarify their purpose and amplify their impact.
She helped establish the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, creating the foundation’s brand identity, website, and marketing strategy, and currently serves on its Board of Directors as Marketing Director. She also sits on the board of Ally’s Elves, an inclusive community initiative that brings together people of all ages and abilities to spread cheer to those most in need.
Deeply committed to service, Carolynn has led humanitarian and community efforts throughout her career, including serving as a Girls on the Run coach, leading a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society running team that raised over $500,000 for blood cancer research, and championing multiple community fundraisers. She is active in local initiatives, founded and continues to run Caldwell’s Porchfest, and is a member of the Rotary Club of the Caldwells. A marathon finisher and nine-time half-marathon runner, she brings focus, perseverance, and heart to everything she does. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Kutztown University.
Eneida Perez
Data and Communication, Elisse Glennon Consulting
Eneida brings over a decade of experience in CRM management, strategic communications, and project leadership. She has worked across nonprofit and academic sectors, streamlining workflows, enhancing donor engagement, and optimizing data-driven decision-making. With an educational foundation in English and Communication, she is dedicated to blending technology, documentation, and thoughtful communication to foster meaningful connections.
Beyond the CRMs, spreadsheets, and strategy sessions, Eneida is a lifelong book lover, writer, and advocate for accessible information. She enjoys blending creativity with problem-solving—whether she’s managing projects, creating content, or connecting with fellow book enthusiasts. When she’s not working, you’ll find her reading and enjoying a day at a theme park.
Theresa Shubeck
Lead Consultant, Elisse Glennon Consulting
Theresa Shubeck has over four decades of professional philanthropic experience helping nonprofit organizations advance their missions, develop and execute strategies, raise critical funds, and train leaders. She has counseled nearly 250 institutions of all types, including social service, education, healthcare, faith-based, and the arts.
Theresa’s background in consulting and institutional positions includes capital campaigns, pre-campaign studies, advancement program assessments, board development, planned giving and executive search. During a 12-year tenure at the University level Theresa was involved in every area of student recruitment, alumni relations and development. Also on the institutional side, she held leadership roles for a Manhattan independent school and a social service agency in New Jersey. Theresa received the 2008 Robert J. Smythe Outstanding Professional Fundraiser Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals-New Jersey Chapter (AFP-NJ), nominated for conducting a successful debt-reduction campaign.
Theresa earned a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College in English and Psychology, a Master of Letters from Drew University, and has completed additional graduate study in English literature. Her publications include her Master’s thesis Sweet Dreams: Robert Frost’s Search for Self; “For Donors Who Have Everything,” The Major Gift Difference for CASE Currents; and a variety of articles for The Monitor, published by the Diocese of Trenton.
Theresa’s current and former board service spans social service, faith-based, education and cultural organizations and she has presented at seminars for prospective adoptive parents through FTIA (Families Thru International Adoption). Her daughter Claire Xian is currently a student at Tufts University School of Medicine.
Shelley Snyder
Executive Director, Donate Life Kentucky Trust
Shelley Snyder is a dynamic leader with nearly 15 years of experience as Executive Director of Donate Life Kentucky. She has been a transformative force in Kentucky, leading initiatives that have tripled Kentucky's donor registry and the nonprofit’s budget, demonstrating her strategic and data-driven approach to achieving and surpassing critical metrics.
Beginning her career at an OPO supporting families going through the process of donation, Shelley has dedicated her life to public education and philanthropy efforts to honor donor families, patients on the waiting list, and transplant recipients. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northern Kentucky University, a master’s degree in administration from Union College, and a Certification in Fundraising Management from the IU Lilly School of Philanthropy.
Based in Louisville with her husband and two children, Shelley’s passion is deeply personal as a donor daughter and recipient daughter. She is committed to making a lasting impact in this Donate Life mission.
Christina Strong
Partner, Dilworth Paxson LLP
Christina Strong focuses her practice on healthcare law and the general corporate representation of non-profits. She has provided counsel on such diverse issues of regulatory compliance as HIPAA, Fraud and Abuse, Human Subjects Research and Intellectual Property. She is particularly committed to serving in an outside General Counsel role, which allows her to focus on a small number of clients in great depth.
Her work in healthcare law and policy involves representing numerous non-profit and provider organizations, as well as trade groups, medical societies, and individual providers and practices. Christina has particular expertise in the areas of organ and tissue donation for transplant, education, and research, and has been closely involved in state and national law and policy development concerning authorization for and allocation of organs and tissues, neurologic death, donation after circulatory death and medical examiner law development, as well as end -of life issues. In 2006, she received the “Executive Director’s Award” of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations for her work in national healthcare policy development. Christina served as the Chair of the American Association of Tissue Banks “Consent and Authorization Task Force”, presiding over the successful two-year project to update accreditation standards in accordance with national and international legal and ethical precepts. Most recently, she co-wrote the Editorial for the British Medical Journal on the Nuffield Bioethics Council’s report on anatomic gifts.
A frequent speaker on legal and policy topics, Christina endeavors to stimulate civil discussion on topics at the intersection of law, health care and bioethics. She served as a member of the New Jersey Bar Association’s End of Life Task Force, and was appointed to the Board of New Jersey Health Decisions, a non-profit organization involved in end-of-life decisions policy. She also taught “Patient-Centered Health Law” at Rutgers University School of Law-Newark, as an Adjunct Professor in Health Law.
Amanda Tibok
Executive Director, Sharing Network Foundation
Amanda Tibok joined NJ Sharing Network in its mission to save and enhance lives in 2012. Now serving as Executive Director of the Sharing Network Foundation, Amanda provides strategic direction and oversight of philanthropic initiatives to increase the number of lives saved through donation and transplantation.
Amanda spearheads the Foundation’s activities and programs to build and cultivate relationships and raise funds for clinical advancement, family support, public awareness and education, including the 5K Celebration of Life events which have grown to become one of the largest and most-recognized charitable events in the state.
Known for her collaborative leadership style and ability to build partnerships within the donation and transplantation community, Amanda has held leadership volunteer roles with the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) Fund Development Council, the Transplant Games of America/Transplant Life Foundation, and serves as a member of the NJ Advisory Board for Eversight.
Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and a Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Organizational Development from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is also a graduate of the Lead New Jersey Fellowship Program (2023).
A.J. Vignola
Partner & Director of Advisory Integration, King Financial Network
Putting our client’s best interests first is what I am truly devoted to. After 10 years working with Jim and Tony, I became a partner in 2022. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner , when we say we offer personalized, objective guidance, we hold ourselves to a high standard of excellence. It is one of my responsibilities to make sure we deliver exceptionally comprehensive and customized planning.
I work directly with the team to analyze our client’s financial plans and identify challenges that may need to be addressed. Together we strengthen strategies, intently set upon making a difference in the lives of everyone we work with. It’s no secret that our days are intense, especially when markets can be volatile at times, but I have learned that being prepared, putting in the time, working as a team, and continuing to educate yourself is what separates our firm from others.
Since joining the team in 2014 I can look at my life and honestly say I practice what we preach when it comes to planning. I live in Ocean Township, NJ with my beautiful wife Christiana and our three year old daughter Willow, where we live an active lifestyle and surf the east coast waves.
Casey Watkins
Engagement and Development Director, Donate Life America
Casey Watkins is the Engagement and Development Director at Donate Life America, where she has worked since 2013. She leads the organization’s individual giving and Donate Life Community engagement efforts, advancing the mission to educate, inspire, and activate the public to say yes to donation.
In her role, Casey oversees fundraising strategy for public gifts, including the annual Education & Registration Assessment campaign, and works to strengthen contributor retention and long-term philanthropic support. She has guided Donate Life America through the adoption and implementation of multiple giving platforms and engagement tools that enhance the contributor experience and support sustainable growth.
Casey also leads engagement initiatives for the Donate Life professional community, including national communications, educational programming, and community-building efforts that connect and support partners across the Donate Life Community.